It's now a familiar sight - shelves stripped bare of food, cleaning products and medicines.
Across the country Brits have been panic-buying and stockpiling as the country battles coronavirus.
And when self-isolation and social distancing was enforced last Monday, worried shoppers have been flocking to stores to fill up their cupboards.
As a result, many people including key workers, the elderly and parents trying to buy food for their babies, have been left with none.
But one dad who was trying to buy nappies for his two-year-old son was left furious when the baby aisle in a B&M store was taped off, with a note saying it was a non-essential aisle.
Calum Smith, 24, who has a two-year-old son said: "I thought it was ridiculous!
"There was multiple mums with babies needing the items and they couldn't get them."
The note read: “To all customers, as a business we’ve temporarily closed these aisles.
“We don’t deem them as necessities.
“Please stay safe and remember to keep your distances.”
Calum said: "There is still a need for kids toys.
"You have to think, parents have to keep their kids inside.
They need to be able to entertain them and think of the disappointment of kids who's birthdays may be falling now".
Calum vented his frustration in a post on Facebook and said: "Could anyone explain how baby items aren't necessities?? I personally think this is absolutely ridiculous!"
And he wasn't the only parent who couldn't believe what they had seen.
One person said: "I would of just jumped under and said to them do you have kids and if no then say well off you go then".
Another agreed: "Omg what the hell, people with children need this stuff".
Calum claims that upon complaining to the manager of the Coney Hill store, the rules had been sent from head office.
In response, a B&M spokesman told us: "We apologise for the misunderstanding, this was an isolated incident in one store. We can confirm these products are back on sale."
The tape and sign has since been removed.
